ID 300 Seattle University Climate Change Discussion Questions

 

The first essay of the semester is a brief (2-3-page) personal narrative focused on presenting and
reflecting upon your own environmental ethics. Using the critical vocabulary introduced in
Attfield’s Environmental Ethics and in my opening lectures, as well as personal anecdotes and
reflection, write an essay on how your life experience, cultural identity, and personal values
contribute to your understanding of nature and humankind’s ethical obligations to it.

https://b-ok.cc/book/5271599/af6d03

Here is the book download and use it to help write this essay.

As I noted in my opening lecture, this class is not intended to impose a set of values or beliefs
upon you. Rather, the assignment is intended to help you clarify, articulate, and reflect upon your
own values and experiences as they relate to ecology. Think about your upbringing (e.g., family
values, the places you’re lived, childhood experiences), experiences with nature (e.g., fishing,
camping, working on a farm), connections to places and nonhuman creatures (e.g., your home,
your pets, your horse), and your personal values and beliefs (e.g., your religion, your political
philosophy, your broader world view). In addition to narrating specific life experiences, try to
locate your personal ethics of the continuum of anthropocentrism (human-centered ethics),
biocentrism (life-centered ethics), and ecocentrism (holistic, ecologically centered ethics).  
 

Questions and prompts to consider:
 

1. In what ways is nature important to you personally? (Give specific examples)
 

2. Describe a time when you felt particularly connected to nature.  
 

3. What are your views about larger environmental issues like climate change?
 

4. Describe some places to which you feel particularly connected.  
 

5. How do you engage with the environment in your work and leisure activities?  
 

6. Describe your connections to nonhuman animals like pets, game, and livestock.
 

7. How do your political, cultural, and religious beliefs influence how you view nature?
 

8. Should human activities be limited to mitigate environmental damage? In what ways?
 

9. What are our ethical obligations to future generations? What about nonhuman creatures?
 

10. How do you feel about environmental conservation and preservation?  
 

11. Does awareness of environmental problems like climate change influence your behavior?